FIRST DRIVE: Renault R5 Turbo 3 E 375hp Hot Hatch, Top Gear

Its called the R5 Turbo 3E, and its a twoseat tribute to the Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2 of yesteryears. And unlike most concept cars thatll turn heads and nothing else, this might just turn your stomach too because its designed for DRIFTING. Dont be fooled by the allelectric powertrain: its rearwheel drive courtesy of a motor on each of the back wheels, delivering a playful 375hp and 516lb ft. Renault reckons on 062mph in 3. 5 seconds and a top speed of 124mph, but stops short of predicting what range youll get from the 42kWh battery. Presumably, because you cant get a WLTP rating when sideways At 1. 5 tonnes (520kg of that is battery cells) its a good deal heavier than the cars that inspired it, but a tubular chassis, protected flat base and FIAapproved roll cage should provide plenty of stiffness when engaging that impossibletomiss handbrake. Which Top Gear Magazines Ollie Marriage wasnt allowed to touch. But that doesnt mean we didnt drift it. Subscribe to Top Gear